Meridian Hill Park

We went in late September while it was still pretty warm, but the water was turned off! We still enjoyed the green, and seeing the statues. The statues were pretty clean despite obvious attempts to graffiti. (What are we doing DC, let them be beautiful) There were lots of very friendly people talking, walking their dogs, playing, and having picnics. The benches there are endless! So many places to sit 🪑 The little caves were all pretty smelly and suspicious. Would not recommend. Overall I loved the park! It s very versatile, and a calming place in the city.

My favorite park in dc but none of the water features have worked in years and the landscaping is a bit overgrown

This is such a photogenic park and a gem for the Adam’s Morgan area. They definitely drain the park fountains in fall and winter, but it’s still exceptionally pretty for photos. There’s also a really large grassy area, which is perfect for pups and panoramic views of the city!

What a colossal dump. Stayed at the Washington Hilton for a work conference and used google to find cool places to walk nearby. This is like the set of a zombie apocalypse movie.

There were a lot of activities happening at the park on the day I visited. The park has multiple levels and it seemed as though something was happening differently on each level. Attendees were walking dogs, sun bathing, reading books, playing soccer and someone was conducting a dance class. It was a very comfortable and relaxing environment. I would recommend this part to people of all ages.

Just sort of a sad park … overgrown with weeds. Fountains are dirty and empty. Kids use the empty ponds to skateboard. Lots of bugs and dirt. So much potential for a thriving park, just under utilized.

This place is peaceful and beautiful but you should visit it early, 7pm latest so that you have a good view of the scenery because they don’t have lights here.

The place is good for walking, you just need to pay more attention to cleaning the local signs for people to pay attention to removing their dog's feces. put more grams in the missing parts. And I don't know if it's because it's spring or it doesn't work. But there should be water so that the place is more beautiful and people can enjoy the beauty of the place.

Got to visit the park on such a lively day with music playing, the birds singing and activities galore. I came for a clothing swap which I feel is so good for the community. The big open park provides a comfortable environment for everyone. There are hammocks people bring with a good book, live events and everything in between.

I wandered through Meridian Hill Park a month or so ago when I was exploring the area before a dinner reservation. On a beautiful day, this park is wonderful - full of people: people picnicking, people practicing yoga, people playing sports together, people reading... If I lived near the park, I'd be in it all the time! It's lovely.

Since it's less than a 10 minute walk from my apartment I need to start making it a point to come out to the park on a regular basis because it's beautiful. When the weather is nice it's really fun to sit down in the grass and watch the puppies are in around and the kids scream and the drum circles play. I know this is a place that people like to come and have snowball fights whenever we get snow (But I'm really hoping that snow is done for the season and we are onto spring). The fountains weren't on which is a bummer because I've seen pictures and they look really pretty, but even without the water the fountainscape area is pretty cool. I can't wait for them to finish all the construction at the bottom and have the park be fully operational!

As my younger self in the 80's visiting D.C., I always heard "We're going to Malcom X Park". It wasn't until I moved to the DMV that I heard the park being referred to as "Meridian Hill". Back in the day I was mesmerized by the Drummers & entertained by the dancing people. Yesterday, it was people doing Yoga, reading, basking in the sun, picnicking & still walking on those tightropes with the help of the National Guard who were floating around. Oh, & that sole person on his bike with a mini sound system playing Earth, Wind & Fire. Although the National Park Services calls it Meridian, I think it depends on the person's - especially the Locals - outlook on who they are talking to or about what. When my Daughter stated she was going to Malcom X Park for a Social Distancing Birthday Party (yeah right), I didn't correct her & tell her the park is called Meridian, I just dropped her off. Of course, that was before I made her mask up & take plenty of Hand Sanitizer with her. To my surprise, I saw most of the park goer's being diligent in safety precautions...as much as you can in a park, right? The Restrooms are CLOSED. To that end, my Daughter informed me that one of the Police Officers patrolling the park directed her to the Precinct a block away when she asked where the nearest public restroom was. & yep, I asked how cleaned was their restroom & she responded "Your OCD would be proud"...thank you Metro PD. My unsolicited opinion is that Meridian, Malcom X, both versions of Meridian Hill-Malcolm X Park, Malcolm X (Meridian Hill) Park identifies for different reasons due to the park's history & presently much more. Speaking of history: the fountain (non-working foe now) has thirteen cascading basins that make it the longest fountain in North America & the Joan of Arc statue is the only equestrian statue that features a woman in D.C. The enclosed park sits on top of a hill with 10+ acres comprising of bi-levels of shady nooks & crannies, nicely manicured lawns, walkways, benches, fountain, mixture of sculptures & memorials. At the end of the day, its a greenery landscape where one can truly enjoy the backdrop of a diverse, friendly, relaxing & most importantly a clean public area.

I like this pretty unique park. Meridian Hill Park is on a slope. The park has cascading fountains in the middle, which are pretty when they're actually working. At the top it has a larger grassy area. There's also some cool statues. It seems more like a neighborhood park rather than a touristy area. It's surrounded by residential streets. Overall the area seems pretty safe, but you still should be careful though. It doesn't seem to be too busy. The main attraction are the fountains. These often are not turned on. Besides these, there's also some cool statues that are in the top area. One is of President James Buchanan. This is the only statue in the city of him so if you're a fan, or more likely you're just curious, you need to go take a look. It also is sometimes called Malcolm X Park, because he held some rallies here. It was at one time considered to be changing the name but they never did it. There needs to be a statue.

Urban oasis? Bring a blanket, your dog, lunch and a hammock. The park, which sits north of the White House, was once the site of a mansion and served as an encampment during the Civil War. The place needs work and the city knows it. The entire lower plaza level of the two-tiered park is closed until work is completed in the summer of 2022. This was clearly once a beautiful and special place now sadly neglected and in total disrepair. Instead the gardens from Instagram are dead, the grass trampled to dirt, the statutes vandalized, fountains dry and covid zones everywhere. The only reason we came is I found a prized parking spot on our way to Adam's Morgan. The nice part, is it's still a neighborhood gathering spot for picnics, hammock naps and a very cool Sunday afternoon drum circle. We stayed for 30 mins while eating our empanadas and shaking our hips to the drum set. I'll gladly return in 2022.

I fell in love with this park at 7am on a chilly December morning. The fountains were drained, there weren't any life performances or artists filling the space. There was still something magical about this space. I went for a free workout by November Project, they meet at the Joan of Arc statue every Monday morning. In town for a business trip I am so glad I didn't miss this opportunity to sweat a little while exploring the city. My workout flew by taking in the sights of this cool park. I loved seeing the scattered statues and awesome architecture. The Joan of Arc statue is an absolutely killer spot to hang out as the sunrises over DC. Pictures don't do the view justice. I'm itching to come back in the spring/summer to experience Meridian Hill Park in all its glory!

A gorgeous park with options for everyone! Great weekly events, space for any kind of hangout, and beautiful family spaces too. A great spot for a DC summer!

I just wanted to update my review to simply say... this is still my favorite park in DC!! Also, I visited the park this past weekend and noticed that there are small gates on the lawn which promotes more social distancing. The gates could use a little maintenance but it got the job done.. ;) This is a beautiful park to take a walk, read a book or meet up with friends to get some fresh air! Check out my new pictures!!

Tai chi and qigong on Sunday mornings at 1030 on the lower level when the weather is good.

A nice open park. I enjoyed my time at Meridian Hill Park, which is also known as Malcolm X Park. The walkways and stairs were well paved. There are open green spaces and lots of nice trees. I honestly felt like I was walking in a European park. When I came upon the Jeanne D'Arc statue I was even more convinced I was teleported to France. I took one star down because there were some areas that were handicap accessible but not enough in my opinion. I understand that it can be difficult to retroactively make parks and other public areas handicap accessible but Washington, d.c. should serve an example to the rest of the country and work harder to make parks and other public areas much more handicap accessible. Overall, I'd recommend this park to family and friends as long as they don't have anyone who cannot easily go up stairs. If you really wanted to you would enter the park on "one level" enjoy the scenery then exit the park to take the sidewalk that wraps around the park and then enter on "another level" but I'd probably choose another more accessible park/public area in the DMV to have a more enjoyable experience with those family members/friends.

This park is a small but beautiful gem in Washington DC. Most folks I know call it 'Malcolm X' park, a reference to Angela Davis' call for the park to be come a symbol of black pride at a rally in 1969. If that's not enough validation, there's a beautiful waterfall like fountain, stone terraces, old oaks and a statute honoring Joan of Arc People come here to let their dogs play, for picnics, to run, practice Qi Gong and capoeira, to make music and the lot. It's a gorgeous spot for a mornin run, a mid-day meditation or a moonlight picnic.

Really pretty and historic park in DC. It has a cascading waterfall which is the largest/longest in North America. There are plenty of shaded spots in the park. Also plenty of spots to take a lunch in the city. It seemed like a couple people were enjoying lunch while we were there. There are spots to sit. No public restrooms though. There is plenty of street parking along the park. It is a huge park! The waterfall is closer to the James Buchanan memorial. Definitely worth checking out if you are close by or want a nice spot to eat lunch at a park in DC.

Bottom Line: Historic, mesmerizing, significant, dramatic and slightly eerie at times. While at Eastern Market I saw a lovely painting of sparkling water cascading down a tiered fountain amongst evergreens and grand architecture. The artist informed me the painting was of Meridian Hill Park, also commonly called Malcolm X Park, so I knew I had to go check it out. The park was much different than the lovely, bright acrylic painting by Joseph Harrison Snyder but equally captivating. Entering Meridian Hill Park reminded me of the scene from Great Expectations (1998 film with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke) when Finn and his uncle enter through the concrete and iron gates of the nearly abandoned Paradiso Perduto. In the movie, the "lost paradise" was full of mature trees with opaque canopies that significantly shaded the grounds. Although it was daytime, Paradiso Perduto had a bit of an eerie feeling and certainly felt neglected for many decades. The lost paradise was very overgrown and in the distance was a grand structure that was shrouded in mystery and partially obfuscated by the wild landscaping. For me, that is how my visit to Meridian Hill Park felt and I nearly expected the theme from Great Expectations, " Living in Mono" to start playing. The site was the original home of The Columbian College, now known as GWU. The nearly 100 year old park was never intended to feel like a lost paradise, instead the 12 acre park was designed to feel like a formal Italian garden and to have the wonderment of Ca' d'Zan. The star attraction of the park is a sprawling fountain with 13 tiered basins that ultimately spill into a reflecting pool. A series of staircases are adjacent to the fountain such that visitors can ascend Meridian Hill alongside the man made waterfall. At the top of the hill, visitors are welcomed by Joan of Arc and treated to sweeping views of DC. Also, there is a large grassy area that reminds me of a miniature version of the National Mall. Statuary is sprinkled throughout the park. In addition to the French heroine, there are statues of Dante, President James Buchanan and Serenity. Unfortunately on my recent visit the star of this park, the massive fountain, was dry. This certainly added to the eerie feeling of the park. Something else that makes this park feel dank and undesirable is some graffiti near the James Buchanan Memorial. I was really saddened to see the tagging on the monument for the 15th president and only bachelor in the Oval Office. When this park was built around 1919, concrete aggregate was a state of the art construction method but today it is crumbling away from the rebar in some cases. The good news is that although it seems the National Park Service has forgotten about this urban gem, they are in the process of getting a fountain pump repaired so the colossal water feature will once again flow like it did in the majestic painting I saw. Overall, I really like Meridian Hill Park even though it feels a bit like a lost, forgotten paradise from the Roaring Twenties. I hope the fountain starts flowing again soon so I can see the magnificent water feature in all of its glory and get full enjoyment from this historic gem.

Leisure AF. After a week in San Francisco where hanging out in a park is practically a citywide past time, I took a trip to Meridian Hill Park to keep those West Coast vibes going. The boy and I grabbed a blanket and found a grassy spot on top of the knoll and had a fine afternoon catching some rays, holding hands, looking at the clouds, and all of the lovey dovey stuff that people do when they are first dating. We've been together for 10 years so you can only imagine how rare this is. :) People watching is a ten: There are hula hoops, slack liners, yogis, acrobats, artists, birthday parties, and random people walking around with trays of baked goods. And of course there is the famous drum circle which inspired even my rhythm-less, cold hearted, soul to bust a smile and a move. Flanked by a cascading, thirteen basin waterfall complete with baby ducks, there is a certain Parisian-esque feeling to the whole park. All you need is a baguette! There was so much energy, light and love going around, I half expected to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt dancing to a Hall and Oates song down the grass. Simply put, you'll find me here till November.

Can't believe I've grown up in Maryland my entire life but only recently found out about this park. Now that it's getting warmer the fountains will be turned back on, so it's even more beautiful. It's a spacious and lovely park, with so many different areas to explore and get great social media posts. I recommend going on Sunday early afternoon to experience the drum circle.

One of my favorite things about living in DC is constantly discovering "new to me" places. Case in point, I have lived here almost 10 months and had only heard of Meridian Hill Park but had no idea where it was located; that is until I stumbled upon it after an art lecture I went to in the (general) area. What a lovely unexpected oasis in the middle of the bustling U Street corridor! The way we approached the park, we first came upon "the mall", an expansive grassy area that, on this gorgeous sunny day, was home to a string of activity: picnics, Frisbee, and a small pickup soccer match. There are plenty of benches for relaxing as well as a concrete surface surround "the mall" that several runners were using as a track. As we walked deeper into the park, we reached the "reflecting pool" (as it was referred to in a nearby informational poster) and the cascading fountain, which leads to the pool. I won't discount what others have mentioned: I'm sure this park has seen better days. The water was green and nothing I would even want to dip a toe into, and there was quite a bit of litter scattered around. I am also 100% sure I would not want to find myself alone in this park at night, however, I'd say that about most urban parks. There are some interesting architectural points in the park too; including a statue of Joan of Arc, a statue of Dante, and a memorial to James Buchanan which contains two other statues in addition to one of the President himself. If you're familiar with the movie "The Secret Garden", you definitely get that kind of vibe walking around Meridian Hill Park! I'll definitely return once the fountains are turned on so I can take in the scenic beauty fully and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful urban oasis!

I had the ABSOLUTE pleasure of discovering this park while competing in the 5th Annual Shearon van Riggins Summer Games in August. Located up near Columbia Heights, it's a great (and huge) space to wander around, picnic, exercise, and even parkour. We were there for none of the above, though. My friends and I competed in (essentially) the Gay Olympics which utilized various aspects of the park. We sprinted around the fountains, "marker fenced" throughout the bushes, balanced, scored, and won some great rice-krispy gold medals :) It was a sunny Sunday, and we finished our escapades just in time for the drum circle in the upper level of the park. A bunch of people gathered and were beating intensely on myriad different percussion instruments. It was the perfect ambiance and ending to a successful/active day. Although I don't live terribly close to the area, I'm hoping to make it a regular stop starting in the Spring because it has so much to offer - from multiple levels, to grass areas, to stonework, to statues, to fountains, to greenery everywhere, it's a great find in DC!

This is a great spot; a large hill walled away with a field, a series of fountains and a waterfall, and a variety of artwork. It's exceptionally quiet and a place one can sit and relax for a while. It's nice that a spot like this is here; away from DC's richer or touristy areas. The one real negative is this park seems to have seen better days. Bathrooms by the waterfall have simply been boarded up (though they do have working ones near the northeast corner). The fountains don't seem all that well maintained either. I don't get any sense that they're even working on a lot of these things. For the most part, these issues don't really affect one's ability to enjoy the park, but I wish they would take better care of it. Also, I wouldn't go here after dark. All that said, it's a great place to spend a summer day. All kinds of events and plenty of places to while away the hours.

Well well well My ol' stumping grounds. This was my very first Malcolm X Celebraton on my way to or from Up Against the Wall in Adam's Morgam and from that day until this it has been my personal connect for all things African Drumming Chess playing First place I heard and met Arrested Development And that first encounter with the Spirit of Brother Malcolm and Sistah Betty Shabazz has lasted an entire life time and influenced by behavior as I graduated that Summer made and saved enough money to ship all of my belongings and headed out West. God continue to bless and keep The daughters and any subsequent grandchildren

My favorite park in DC. When I used to live in Mount Pleasant, I'd go 3 times a week. It is on a hill (makes sense hence the name) and it has a great view of DC. There's a lot of open green space and fountains and people are often working out here, having picnics, or just chilling. If I stretch my imagination just a little, it looks a bit like Versailles in France (again, a slight stretch of the imagination). One of the best things to do in DC happens at Meridian Hill Park in the afternoon on Sundays: the drum circle. Dozens of people gather with drums and people sing and dance and have TONS of fun.

This park is in an awesome location and has so much potential. I'm sure generations of Washingtonians have been coming here to take their cheesy engagement photos, but lately Meridian Hill Park has been missing the mark. The grass has been brown all summer and I haven't seen any of the fountains on once. The whole place feels like it was plucked straight out of Fallout 3. I think it's funny that the park has a statue of Dante (yes, the Divine Comedy Dante) because this place is purgatory at best and a barren hellscape at its worst.

Meridian Hill Park is one of my favorite green spaces in the city, especially on warm Sundays when the drum circle performs! The park is pretty big (technically 12 acres, which I guess is approximately a city block) and separated into two levels. The upper level is more of an open space, with lawns, trees, balustrades, benches and playful dogs. It is here where the drum circle meets and performs on Sunday afternoons. Absolutely love this! You begin to hear the beats as you approach the park and it gives you goosebumps! Crowds gather around the drummers--sometimes one large group, other times they are broken out into multiple groups. The diversity is so inspiring! Young, old, all colors, shapes and ages. People are sitting and listening, tapping their feet, or getting up and dancing. It is just a happy, fun time that puts everyone in a good mood. From the balcony, you have lovely views of DC. Stone steps take you down to the lower level, down the middle of which runs the striking 13-basin cascade fountain. (We saw something similar to this in Madrid.) Along each side of the fountain are stairs, and next to the stairs are cubby-like seating areas with benches. Lovely spots to sit and enjoy the sounds of the water. At the bottom of the fountain is a large reflecting pool. (Kids love this part.) Scattered throughout the lower level are grassy knolls where lots of trees create cozy, shady (and out of the way, if you choose) spots where people can throw down a blanket and spend a few hours reading, listening to music, picnicking or just people watching. Statues are laced throughout the park, which boasts a rich history. Meridian Hill is almost like a 'secret' park, far enough away from National Mall that it doesn't get too crowded with tourists.

The park is beautiful. It is one of the best parks in DC. It has deep history and the park has excellent monuments. Bottom line, it is a must visit park.

Meridian Hill/Malcom X Park is a mecca for Columbia Heights gatherings. There are drum circles there most weekends, and tons of events and gatherings throughout the year. In good weather, it's just your regular park, with folks walking/picnicking/hanging out etc. The bad thing about Meridian is that either they don't have the parks funds or the neighborhood doesn't respect the space enough to ever let the grass recover. That means a large portion of the park is bald and muddy through peak season. The lower level of the park is a little more gently-treated, so if you're looking for a grassy space, try down there. If you skateboard, check to see if the often broken fountains are shut off. If they are, you've got a makeshift bowl all set up for you.

An excellent part of the neighborhood, and worth a visit in all seasons. Check out the drum circle in the warmer weather, and go sledding in the snow. I only wish that it was larger and that the fountains functioned for more of the year.

The park must have been stunning in its day but it's fallen into neglect and urban decay. All the fountains are drained and the grass is beaten down or dead. It's a shame because this could be a DC showplace if the city cared enough to keep it up. There's a drum circle on Sunday afternoons that is a must see, however. It's been a weekly event for fifty years or so and it's inspiring and wonderful. Don't bother trying to drive in and park your car. Take the Metro to U street and walk to the park. Enjoy the drum circle, check out the banged up statues, and eat at Ben's Chili Bowl on your way back in the late afternoon when the crowds are gone.

Meridian Hill Park is a really great city park. I don't live close enough to utilize it regularly, but I can definitely see the appeal for those who do live nearby. There were quite a few picnickers when I visited, along with dog-walkers and skateboarders. I enjoyed the steps, but the waterfall cascade wasn't as impressive as I had expected. Otherwise, great views and nice green space!

Just doing my part to bump up the park's rating to a solid 5 stars. I don't think there is a more beautiful, peaceful or relaxing place to be found in the city and it should be really on every tourist and residents "must visit" list.

My mind is made up -- who ever the poor soul that is in his right (or wrong) mind decides to jump the broom with me; will take place in this park. Bring on the violin quartets and Canon in D. I just absolutely love this place. The water cascading down the slope steps, the greenery, the hippie drum circle on Sunday nights playing their bongos with all smiles and dancing... it's all great. All 12 acres worth. This is a beautiful urban park situated in northwest DC that cannot be missed. If anyone wants to know where I find peace, you'll more than likely find me here before anywhere else. Believe it or not this even beats Old Town Alexandria water front for me. To say that for those who know me will send shock waves. Don't believe me, come see for yourself!

The Space: For where it is located, Meridian Hill Park is the perfect size and central enough to get a lot of foot traffic. I like that the layout allows you to either be in the heart of the park or tucked away in a private corner. People come here to read, hang out, walk their dogs and even hammock. On certain days there is a drum circle and a lot of music and a lively atmosphere. I have walked through here during the winter and, although quieter, it is still a nice walk. It is a great place to bring friends that are visiting!

While we didn't manage a Memorial Weekend getaway, I still feel like I stumbled upon an oasis without ever leaving Northwest DC. After an impromptu brunch at Love Cafe with six kids under age five and their parents we trekked up to the park. As I admired the panoramic views and the thirteen-basin cascade fountain, I wondered aloud why I hadn't come here sooner. The temperature was perfect in the shade and there was plenty of room for the kids to run free. I'm planning on taking my laptop and setting up shop on a blanket in the grass here sometime very soon. Meridian Hill Park is quite simply one of the most gorgeous sights my eyes have seen in Washington, D.C.

Lost track of almost entire day here and don't regret it one bit. Beautiful park with tons of space and great view with fountains. Plenty of trees for shade and grassy areas and benches to sit. My friend referred to it as a human circus and she's right. On a Sunday afternoon/early evening you will find: tightrope walkers, drum circle, yoga, juggling, hula hoops, croquet, bocci ball and a ton of dogs and kids. Things we brought: Blanket Snacks from nearby grocery store Bocci ball set Things I wish we had brought: Hula hoop Croquet set Better outfit to try tight rope walking Yoga mat-better if you bring one you don't mind getting dirty More vacation time

Meridian Hill Park is one of the reasons why I bought a condo literally overlooking this magnificent landscape. It is THE most beautiful landmark in the city north of the Mall. It has amazing potential and that's one of the reasons why I am glad that it is managed by the National Park Service and NOT the District of Columbia. If if were under the city, it would be a shadow of what it really is today. As is, the NPS has enough work trying to control the dislocated panhandler population, the idle gamblers, and the nightime sex perverts that oftentimes take over the park, making it unsafe after night. As in so many DC areas, the neighborhood has been undergoing inexorable gentrification, together with the change in demographics that demand increased safety and better housekeeping. As a result, the NPS has been spending gobs of money on landscaping, some with mixed results. Many of the dogwoods have died in less than a year. And the grass on the upper half has been replaced three times in the last two years I've lived in the neighborhood. They are finally covering the Northern end with hardy grass, the type they have in football fields. Hopefully it will last. They are also building a permanent park management/police station that may serve as a field police station in the upper park, which will go a long way in keeping the park safe. Our building has been cooperating with the NPS in giving them access to our rooftop so they can do surveillance and contribute to the arrests of lawbreakers. The drum circle is one of the most awesome anthropological events in DC, attracting people from all walks of life from the Rasta to the hippie. I take my pup there on Sundays and we enjoy the variety of people. The one thing that used to upset me about the park seems to be mending. NPS used to have two dog-a-phobic police that would go around harassing dog owners. They seem to have gone, not after constant complaints from the many visitors. Glad they're gone. It is indeed a wonderful part of this great city.

In this capital of the free world, it can be hard to find a place, a time, an event, that more exemplifies what DC could and should be than a Sunday afternoon in Meridian Hill Park. Even if you don't go for the fountains cascading between the topiary as if gushing in a palace garden. Or to watch the children giggling at the butt-up diving ducks. At least, even if it's the only draw, you must come for the jungle thunder Drumming drums guiding you through the sunny air Bring your drum, bring you drum, run, run, come and dance raise your hands, jiggle your hips, fling your hair to the beat. Join in! Bring your drum to the center of the village, under the mighty shade tree Green, gold, cinnamon and every shade in between.

Review update! I recently visited Meridien Hill Park again (my third time in the past 3 months) and saw that they finally turned the water fountain on! I had previously visited in late March and mid-April and there had been no water, but now there was plenty of water and it was a lovely cascading waterfall (apparently the largest of its kind in North America). I do have to say that the water is quite disgusting - it's green and full of algae, and I'm not sure if the park people do a great job of cleaning the water (we saw newspapers lining up the bottom of the waterfall). But the park itself is beautiful, especially on a warm sunny day. There are plenty of places to sit and plenty of space to play and walk in. Lovely place overall and I truly enjoy visiting it.

One of my favorite places in the city since I moved here back in '03. I usually refer to it as "Malcolm X Park" because that's what most native Washingtonians I've come across call it :-) When I got engaged a few years ago, we did our photo shoot in chilly December and the park, in my humble opinion, was just as beautiful in its brown barrenness as it is in the plush greenery of spring! Mid-week afternoon was basically empty and we got some great shots. This past summer was hectic but I can't wait for next year-come through drummer's circle! If you're looking for me, I'll be smack dab in the middle!

So I'm guessing this spot is probably beautiful in the summer. In October, it was kind of meh and everything was dying and lifeless. The waterfall is sorta pretty, but it's also grungy and has a slightly toxic appearance. Now all that said, it was certainly pleasant enough for a stroll. And if I lived closer, I'd probably walk my dog here frequently. Overall, not a particularly splendid park. But it's a decent enough urban oasis.

7 years in the District and I finally made it to the Meridian Hill Park! Way overdue. The park is beautiful. Cascading waterfalls are incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Some cool statues around (Joan of Arc, Dante, others.) The drum circle that started back in 1965 (!) is enchanting. People are just hanging there reading, having picnics, playing all kinda of games, walking their dogs. Such a vibrant and fun place to people watch.

Beautiful Park. It's a really good place for running or reading a book. I went here often during the summer time in the early morning to wind down. There's not many people in the morning and its less crowdy. Theres a small pond where you can jog around.

If you're tickled with child-like joy and wonder by fountains, like I am, you'll love this place. Just look at the pics, that bad boy is spectacular. How this oasis exists in the middle of the city is beyond me. Just a short walk from the main U Street stretch, too, so there are plenty of options for your post-park adventure. And there's a surprising amount of space. After walking up and taking in the views, there's a large, flat, grassy stretch on top where people were playing cricket. We parked under a tree and had a mini-picnic. It was a shockingly serene and pleasant experience. However, while we were getting up to leave, some guy got arrested. They had him on the ground and cuffed with a good 7 cops around him. Not sure what was going on. Still, tons of people around, so you feel safe and happy.

I am surprised that I found this place on YELP!!! YAY!! I actually remember being a kid and playing with cousins all throughout this park! memories of greatness and carefree! A vivid memory is going with a SLEW of family members and celebrating independence (July4th) there and having a wonderful time! I gave it a woohoo because that is what it was when I was growing up... I plan on making my way up there soon just to feel the memories all over again!! LOVE

One of my new favorite spots in DC! I came here yesterday to take some photos. I don't think my pictures turned out too well, but I enjoyed spending some time just relaxing at the park. The fountain was definitely working and was just beautiful. It was ridiculously hot out but there were plenty of places to sit in the shade and cool off. There are also little spots to sit by the water. There were a couple people sitting off to the side of the fountain reading books. A really nice place to spend an afternoon by yourself or with a group of friends. -- Curious side note: I did find this really long trail of ants carrying something from one area to another area of the park....yeah, I said ants. Tiny ones. It was kinda neat but just make sure you check where you sit so you don't end up with the chain going over your foot or something. I took some macro shots of this - will be posting them soon.

Stopped here after a huge snowstorm and saw so many people, dogs and snowmen! Love this multi level park. It's full of people and places to throw a frisbee, have a picnic or just stroll through and people or dog watch. The downside is the fountains are often not working and once it gets dark it can become a bit sketchy.

I love this park! There's tons of space for sports, yoga, circuit training (try going up/down and around the park a few times over) chilling, whatever. It's lined with benches to hang out and people watch. On Sundays, it's a straight-up neighborhood party. Check it out for aerial yoga, cuties playing football, puppies, the famous drum circle, and tightrope enthusiasts. Grab your favorite picnic grub, blankie and enjoy the view and vibes.

Yeah, I don't understand the negative reviews of this park. So what there are a few homeless people lounging? They deserve to chill as much as the rest and yo...you live in DC! I enjoy coming here to read, meditate and occasionally I will do a therapy session with one of my clients here. Its really relaxing and the architecture of the park is truly beautiful. From the umpteen hundreds of people that showed up for this year's snowball fight to the Sunday drumming circle during the summer, its a great lil green get away in the middle of NW. Be smart and don't plan a midnight picnic but come on out and enjoy during the daytime.

One of my favorite weekend hangouts in the Columbia Heights/U Street/Mt. Pleasant area. If you go at around 3 or 4 PM on a Sunday you'll see the drum circle practicing. Also there's lots of dogs/families/football players who hang out here too. It's maybe a mile from the Columbia Heights metro? A nice weekend day would be picking up a sandwich by the metro and walking down 15th street (quiet, less cars than 14th or 16th street) to the Park. Also, if you're a yoga fan, Meridian Yoga is on the edge of the Park in an old mansion and has classes whose windows face the Park if you like seeing nature while you're in upward facing dog or mountain pose!

Just a cute park that we live super close to! The only thing I hate is that the fountain is never on! I mean once it was in the past year we've lived here but then it stopped and turned green. That's only kind of disappointing because the park is super pretty otherwise.

One of the best parks in the city!! Love coming here with my dog, views of the Washington monument, beautiful in all seasons, but especially in the spring and fall. Sundays are great for people watching and the drum circle. A very peaceful, relaxing place, in the middle of a crazy city.